LAHORE:Punjab Health Minister and Chairman Cabinet Committee on Disaster Management Khawaja Salman Rafique visited Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab Head Office here on Monday.
Director General Irfan Ali Kathia briefed the provincial minister about the damage caused by the recent rains and the relief operations. He told the provincial minister in the briefing that 24 precious lives were lost due to dilapidated buildings and other reasons this month.
Khawaja Salman Rafique said that PDMA should ensure financial support to the bereaved families as per the instructions of the Punjab government. Water condition in rivers and dams has been reviewed. Water condition in all rivers and barrages of Punjab is normal. All resources will be utilized for the rehabilitation of the areas affected by natural calamities, he said.
The DG briefed about the situation of rivers in Dera Ghazi Khan. Due to the rains in Mount Sulaiman mountains, floods may occur in the rivers and mountains. PDMA Punjab has se
t up flood relief camps in view of the possible threat. All resources are being provided to the district administration in this regard. Pakistan is facing severe rains and floods due to climate change. Timely measures should be taken to protect human lives. The public is requested to take precautionary measures during the rainy season. All departments, divisional and district administrations should maintain close contact with each other.
The DG said that 24-hour monitoring is being done in the provincial and district control rooms. Rains are predicted in most districts of the province on 8th and 9th of Muharram. On the 10th of Muharram, the weather is likely to be hot and humid in most of the districts of the province.